How to Call the Visitors Web Stat Program from PHP with Safe Mode Enabled

When it comes to tracking web statistics, choosing the right tool is essential. One such tool that has garnered attention is the Visitors web stat program. However, if you’re using a web server that has PHP’s safe mode enabled, integrating this program can become quite tricky. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can successfully call the Visitors program from PHP while navigating the limitations of safe mode.

The Challenge

Many web hosts, including NearlyFreeSpeech.NET (NFSN), implement PHP safe mode to enhance security. This prevents execution of certain functions like shell_exec, which is commonly used to run external programs. So, how do you make Visitors work in this environment?

A Solution: Utilizing CGI

Fortunately, you can get around the limitations imposed by PHP safe mode by using Common Gateway Interface (CGI). By creating a CGI script, you can safely execute the Visitors program and gather the web stats you need.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create a CGI Script

1. Create the Script File

   • Use a text editor to create a new file named visitors.cgi.

2. Add Shebang Line

   • At the very top of your script, you’ll need to specify the interpreter that should execute your script. In your CGI script, this will be:

     #!/bin/sh
     

3. Set Content-Type Header

   • To ensure that your web server knows you’re sending back HTML content, include the following line:

     printf "Content-type: text/html\n\n"
     

4. Execute the Visitors Program

   • Finally, you’ll call the Visitors program directly. Here is how you can run it:

     exec visitors -A /home/logs/access_log
     

Complete CGI Script Example

Here’s how your complete visitors.cgi script should look:

#!/bin/sh

printf "Content-type: text/html\n\n"
exec visitors -A /home/logs/access_log

Important Notes

• Permissions: Make sure your visitors.cgi file is executable. You can do this by running:

  chmod +x visitors.cgi
  

• Location: Place the visitors.cgi file in your server’s CGI directory (usually /cgi-bin/).
• Testing: Access your CGI script via a web browser using its URL to check if it works as expected.

Conclusion

By utilizing a CGI script, you can efficiently call the Visitors web stat program from PHP, even in environments where safe mode is active. This method is not only straightforward but also provides a secure way to handle web statistics without compromising server safety protocols.

If you run into any issues while implementing this solution, feel free to ask for help or consult your web host’s documentation.

For anyone facing similar challenges, remember that there’s often a creative workaround just waiting to be discovered!